The War for Southern Independence (1861–1865) was a war in the North America. 15 southern declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America, also known as "the Confederacy". Led by Jefferson Davis, the Confederacy fought for its independence from the United States. The U.S. federal government was supported by 18 Northern states referred to as the Union. They had a much larger base of population and industry than the South but the south had Britain and France on her side . After four years of bloody, devastating warfare (mostly within the Southern states), the Union surrendered and the Confederacy stayed independent